Donations to Kari's Access Awards
-
District Central Administration Staff gathered this morning to fill 100 gift baskets for district families. They are provided to families with warmth, kindness, a spirit of giving to one another, and the value of community service. The CAB Staff used their Blue Jeans Funds for Families, community member donations, business partner donations and a donation from the Sweetwater One Public School Foundation to purchase items for the gift baskets. Read more here
-
-
Sweetwater One Public School Foundation
Kari's Access Awards
Kari's Access Awards is an Endowment Fund, within the Sweetwater One Public School Foundation, and was established in 2006 in memory of Kari (Kay) Fusselman, a former student at Westridge Elementary, White Mountain Junior High, and Rock Springs High School.
The Fund's focus is in helping individual School District #1 students (K thru 12) access non-traditional scholarships that give students the opportunity to participate in outside activities that will enhance learning and personal growth. Kari's Access Awards is designed to open new opportunities for individual students to help bring out the best of each student "One Child At A Time"!
Kari's Access Awards has gifted to more than 420 students of Sweetwater County School District #1!
Kari's Access Awards Application - Click Here
Scholarship Application Information
Sweetwater One Foundation Recognized Sweetwater County School District #1 Board of Trustees
April 11, 2022
Tonight, we would like to extend a thank you to the Sweetwater Number One School Foundation. Our District is fortunate to have a Foundation Board that works to extend classroom experiences for students, staff, and our community. The actions of the Foundation Board model community service and the importance of giving back and gratitude. Some of their many accomplishments include Kari’s Access Awards, college scholarships, Beer and Wine Tasting Event, and yearly golf tournament to name a few.
For this year, the Foundation graciously provided $3,000 to purchase Chamber of Commerce gift certificates for parents, students, and staff attending the Steered Straight assemblies to support drug prevention and awareness and emotional learning. Lastly, the Foundation provided $3,500 and joined efforts with the CAB Staff to purchase home goods and products to include: laundry detergent, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body soap, dish soap, and paper products to name a few for gift baskets for District families in need. These baskets will be given to families at the beginning of May.
Thank you to the Foundation Board Members: Mike Blume, Leo Gray, Gene Legerski, Larry Fusselman, Irene Richardson, Stacy Jones, Mark Rubich, Carlos Salazar, and Jim Sedey.
Foundation Board Members
Mark Rubich, Chairman (Not Pictured)
Larry Fusselman, Vice-Chairman
Mike Blume, Treasurer
Irene Richardson, Secretary (not pictured)
Carlos Salazar (Not Pictured)
Gene Legerski
Stacy Jones
Jim Sedey
Leo Gray
Haley Revelli / Randi Johnson, Liaisons
10th Annual Winter Fundraiser
The 10th annual Kari’s Access Awards Winter Fundraiser will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025. The event, will be hosted at the Sweetwater Events Complex and will feature live music, a silent auction, raffles and an enjoyable evening of wine & beer tasting, all benefiting the local non-profit Kari’s Access Awards (KAA).
WHAT IS KARI’S ACCESS AWARDS
Kari’s Access Awards is an endowment fund started in 2006 by Larry Fusselman, in memory of his daughter Kari (Kay) Fusselman who was a student at Westridge Elementary, White Mountain Junior High, and Rock Springs High School.
The fund gives School District #1 students access to non-traditional scholarships. These scholarships allow students to participate in outside programs, enhancing learning and personal growth beyond their daily school activities. Students apply directly or are recommended through friends, teachers and family.
KAA has a committee who reviews and recommends the scholarships based on a set criteria.
Kari’s Access Awards opens new opportunities to students; bringing out the best in each student one child at a time.
Local Students Receive Gift of Music from Kari’s Access Awards
Two local students will be filling their home with music this Holiday after being the recipients of Kari’s Access Awards that will provide clarinets for their musical training through the school district.
These gifts came from Kari’s Access Awards, a local endowment fund started in 2006 by Larry Fusselman, in memory of his daughter Kari (Kay) Fusselman who was a student at Westridge Elementary, White Mountain Junior High, and Rock Springs High School.
“It was great to see and hear the gratitude expressed by these students and their parents when they received these awards. Those smiles remind us what this is all about,” said Larry Fusselman.
The fund gives School District #1 students access to non-traditional scholarships. These scholarships allow students to participate in outside programs, enhancing learning and personal growth beyond their daily school activities. To date, they have awarded over 400 non-traditional scholarships to local students of all ages.
Students can apply directly or are recommended through friends, teachers and family. The scholarships are then awarded based on a set criteria
composed of need, attendance, and academics.
Kari’s Access Awards receives 100% of their funding from private donations and their annual fundraiser.
The committee is all-volunteer and includes community members passionate about the future of our local youth. They include: Jessica Maser (Chairperson), Kayci Arnoldi, Art Castillo, Gary Collins, Weston Lamb, Kori Rossetti-Slaugh, Stacee Hanson, and Andrea Tate.
Kari’s Access Awards opens new opportunities to students; bringing out the best in each student one child at a time.
If you would like more information on Kari’s Access Awards, or to ask about how to recommend a student for application, please call Larry Fusselman at 307-350-5267.
Local Students Receive Gift of Music From Kari’s Access Awards
-
Pictured, Left to Right: Weston Lamb (KAA), Colton Miller, Mandi McCaslin, Jessica Maser (KAA), Larry Fusselman (KAA).
The Sweetwater One Public School Foundation would like to acknowledge Bob Arambel for his service to the Foundation since 2005.
The Sweetwater One Public School Foundation would like to acknowledge Laura Schmid-Pizzato for her service to the Foundation since 2005.
5-3-22 Donation to District Families
-
Donations for 100 District Families. Read More Here
-
CAB Staff getting ready to load the Gift Baskets
-
Sorting Donations
-
CAB staff unloading donations
-
Sorting Additional Donations
-
Filling Donation Baskets
Where We Help
Awards, Grants, Endowments
Kari's Access Awards
Back to School Shopping
A-Z Fund
Endowments
General Fund
Grants and Awards
S.E.E. Grants Program
Supporting Education and Enrichment
Recognition Awards
Blue Jean Fund
Stepping Stones Scholarships - due April 12, 2024
A Big Thank You. . .
to all the employees of Sweetwater County School District #1 who donated to the Sweetwater One Employee Giving Campaign for the Southwest United Way and to the local community for supporting the Sweetwater One Foundation programs. Your support allows us to do the great things we do!